Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

This is a senior management position responsible for overseeing all the WPE programming in Somalia. In close collaboration with the Deputy Director of Programs, the WPE Coordinator will provide leadership, strategic vision, and technical support to all aspects of the WPE programs. The WPECO will contribute to the identification of programmatic priorities, design and direction and entertain active coordination with the clusters, Protection and GBV sector coordination forums, other agencies, and existing IRC programs.

In addition, the WPE Coordinator will look into integration opportunities with other IRC programs and ensure that the WPE programs are implemented in accordance with IRC Somalia Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and the Outcome Evidence Framework (OEF) and related Theory of Changes (ToCs) and global best practice.

This position reports to the Deputy Director of Programs and will closely coordinate/work with the WPE Technical Adviser. The WPECO will line manage WPE program managers, MEAL manager and the Co-Chair of GBV AoR.

Major responsibilities:

The Women Protection and Empowerment Coordinator shall:

Program Strategy, Development & Implementation

• Lead the development and expansion of the IRC WPE sector throughout Somalia. This involves conducting periodical quality assessments and research, development of quality concept notes and proposals and development of new projects and initiatives.

• Support the development and maintenance of a coherent WPE strategy across IRC’s interventions in Somalia in collaboration with the other IRC programs.

• Provide technical and management leadership to the IRC WPE program in Somalia in accordance with best practice and IRC OEF

o Provide technical advice including supportive supervision to IRC’s staff working in all WPE projects.

o In collaboration with the MEAL team, ensure robust monitoring systems are in place and that reviews are undertaken periodically.

o Adapt and develop where necessary functional GBV systems including GBVIMS, and referral systems.

• Contribute actively to the development, revision, monitoring and implementation of the IRC Somalia Country Strategy and the development of detailed sector strategy.

• Lead the rollout and alignment of the OEF , into existing sector strategies and programs

• Ensure WPE programs are designed in accordance with the needs of women and girls, Country SAP and OEF

• Coordinate the development of proposals and budgets for new projects and extensions of projects in conjunction with the other Technical Coordinators, and the DDP:

o Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of project implementation consistent with the project management cycle, program objectives, activities and indicators.

o Ensure that WPE interventions adhere to donor agreements and IRC’s core policy documents, the IRC strategy 100, and IRC’s Safety ToCs

o Ensure progress reports are completed in accordance with deadlines / compliance requirements and lessons learned are documented for internal use by IRC technical and program staff.

• Design WPE programming strategy for emergency response, resilience building and reducing risk to future potential disasters.

• Look into integration opportunities within the WPE program as well as with other IRC programs in collaboration with other relevant program coordinators and the DDP.

• Ensure that the WPE team is fully oriented on the project design, activities, budget, and other pertinent details.

Representation, Coordination and Advocacy

• Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with protection partners, representing IRC positions, promoting long-term strategy, and resolving problems/conflicts.

• Represent IRC in external coordination meetings with UN/ NGOs, donors, partners, and government in Nairobi & in the field.

• Develop and maintain internal and external relationships, and network to promote program linkages. This would include working with the IRC technical unit support staff, participation in the protection cluster, GBV sub-cluster, CCCM sub-cluster, and GBV Working Group and sector coordination meetings to share strategies/lessons learned with staff of other agencies, providing information to UN-OCHA and other IASC bodies to contribute to national coordination efforts and communication on program developments with local/ regional authorities.

• Actively liaise with relevant ministries, and GBV sub cluster to ensure harmonized and proactive programming.

• Generate GBV data to be used by the senior country management team and GBV cluster and other relevant staff to influence donor policies with the purpose of generating more funding.

• Build good relationships with authorities, partners, international and national organizations, authorities in the region and the country.

• Keep the local authorities and other project stakeholders well informed of the progress of the program.

• Be the donor liaison on women protection issues for the Somalia country program.

Financial management

• Lead the development of realistic budgets for the program both in the short-term and the long-term and identify the areas which require fundraising.

• Effectively manage program budget and staff. This includes among others, regular monitoring of the program finance to avoid major under-spending or over-spending using budget versus achievement analysis system (BvA); updating and sharing salary mapping templates; supporting the development and review of sector Operating Budget and maintaining monthly and quarterly spending levels as per the plans.

• Ensure that program activities are not disrupted by lack of cash and that the processes of cash flow forecasts and cash transfers from Nairobi to the field are smooth.

Program monitoring (M&E)

• Lead the process of development of M&E systems and impact assessment for the WPE sector in IRC Somalia. This includes the development of the sector M&E framework in line with the IRC Somalia country strategy, development of specific M&E systems for each grant; submission of timely monthly and quarterly grant reports; weekly updates; and establishment of baseline data through surveys and other relevant mechanisms; and documentation and sharing of case studies within the organization.

• Monitor program implementation against work plans and overall project objectives, documenting progress and achievements, providing analysis based on monitoring and evaluation activities and adapt program strategy and implementation accordingly.

• Develop a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for quality control of WPE interventions.

• Ensure that all project activities are implemented in a timely manner and all related objectives achieved.

Program quality and impact evaluation.

• Take an active and hands on role in assessing impact and changing trends, advising on appropriate interventions and implementation where necessary and regularly review these against forecasts and action plans to enable integrated planning

• Responsible for developing clear exit strategies from the current emergency program ensuring that it links into recovery and longer-term WPE programming (humanitarian and development nexus)

• Learn the new impact evaluation methodologies and consider the application of these methodologies in WPE programs and projects.

Human Resources Management

• Review staff JDs, set performance objectives of your direct reports and conduct formal and informal performance evaluations.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Discuss job expectations and set objectives for direct reports, and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.

• Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they can access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.

• Work with the WPE managers and WPE MEAL manager to establish development plans for their teams and ensure they are able to access training and professional development opportunities.

Key working relationships:

• Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

• Position directly supervises: WPE Program Managers, WPE Program MEAL Manager, the Co-Chair of GBV AoR under the umbrella of the Protection Cluster.

• Indirect Reporting: n/a

• Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal:

o HQ based IRC Technical Advisors

o Field Coordinator/Manager

o Other Sector/Program Coordinators

o Program Managers

External:

o Somalia Protection cluster (GBV &CCCM sub-clusters)

o Relevant other stakeholders e.g., Protection/GBV actors, UN bodies, local and national authorities

Job requirements:

• At least a post graduate degree in Gender and development studies or social sciences, international studies, or relevant field

• Minimum of 7 years professional experience in management of GBV and women empowerment programming in emergency and development settings

• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties

• INGO experience required.

• Proposal writing acumen and experience.

• Must be capable of applying their skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others.

• Interpersonal qualities: Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multicultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.

• Fluent in spoken and written English

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.